CHAPTER II 



PAST AND PRESENT MUSSEL BEDS OF 

 SCOTLAND 



I HAVE thought it desirable to attempt the some- 

 what difficult task of describing shortly the 

 principal mussel beds of Scotland. 



A general idea can in this way be obtained 

 as to the number and extent of our scalps, while 

 the notes given in each case may help the reader 

 to estimate the present condition and past history 

 as well as, in some cases, the possibilities of local 

 bait supply. 



The order in which the beds are described is 

 from the southern part of the East Coast, round 

 the north of the country to the southern part of 

 the West Coast. 



Not a few of the beds have been visited by me 

 in the course of scientific fishery expeditions 

 when in the service of the Fishery Board for 

 Scotland, and at other times ; but I have relied 



